Uber is launching uberMOTO, a new service that lets you Uber to your destination even faster while also putting your life even more into the hands of a stranger and while also getting to grope them awkwardly. Anyone want a ride?

Advertisement

Okay, so this is actually only a pilot program—and it’s only coming to Bangalore initially. While you are required to wear a helmet, you don’t need to own your own. Uber says their riders will all be carrying a spare for you to use, which is kind of gross.

I’m on the fence about how much I like the idea. On the one hand, and even despite my accident, I still think traveling by motorcycle (and lanesplitting) is plenty safe, and the incidents of accidents per rider in places like Bangalore are much lower than here in the U.S. Also, more motorcycles on the road mean less congestion for an incredibly dense city.

Advertisement

On the other hand, I’m far less worried about the driving abilities of the lady sitting in the driver seat as we sit in traffic on my way home from the airport than I am the guy showing up on a scooter to pick me up. Uber will need to have some way to address both rider and bike quality better given the exposed nature of this new form of ride sharing.

I wonder if they’ll have a tiered system like they do with the cars. One where it’s cheaper to ride on the back of some little scooter, but more expensive to hope on the back of the new KTM 1290 Super Duke GT. Or maybe a “pay for experience level” option where you can pay extra to have some ex racer or maybe even your favorite motorcycle journalist shuffle you around.